Thanksgiving Day is celebrated throughout the United States each year on the fourth Thursday of November. Historically, Thanksgiving has been a tradition and celebration of the blessings of the year. The “Holiday Season” begins with Thanksgiving.

       The most common attribute to this great holiday is of course the food. Families and friends gather at the dinner table to share a feast of all sorts. We all have our own traditions and recipes that are passed on through generations. Being in the South, we have some of the best cuisine around. There is a certain je ne sais quoi with Southern cooking. It’s just better.

       Let’s start with the greens and casseroles. You have your green beans, green bean casserole, collard greens, squash casserole, potato casserole, broccoli casserole, tomato casserole, rice casserole and the famous sweet potato casserole. These are some of the best side dishes around. Yes, they are actually considered a side on Thanksgiving.

       Of course we cannot exclude the wonderful starch we indulge. Mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and macaroni and cheese are a must. It really isn’t Thanksgiving without them. And most importantly, when making these delicious dishes, you must make them from scratch. And don’t forget the butter. Lots of it.

       It would be extremely irresponsible to leave out the main attraction – turkey. As many associate the South with fried foods, we indeed fry our Thanksgiving turkey. We deep fry it and and it is magnificent. If you aren’t familiar with the process, definitely Google it. Don’t forget the stuffing, or dressing as many like to serve it on the side. The key to this is to use cornbread. Yes, cornbread, another Southern staple. It will change your life.

       The icing on the cake, or the pie so to speak, is dessert. Pumpkin, pecan, apple and good ‘ol sweet potato pies are among the favorites. You can’t finish your feast without them.

        The South might not have played a part in the founding of Thanksgiving, but its influence and impact on the cuisine have played a huge role in the expansion and modernization of the holiday.

        Now that I have your appetite’s attention, enjoy your Thanksgiving. Remind your loved ones how thankful you are to have them and bon appetit!

Margaret Hoynes
Advertising Coordinator
Garden City Realty, Inc.